In physics, activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required for a reaction to occur. Out here in real, everyday life activation energy is literally what it takes for you to DO.
Unless you’re in the field of physics, you’re most likely not interested in the dynamics of a reaction.
Activation energy is what it takes for you to get out of bed every morning, to make breakfast and get yourself ready for the day. It’s what gets you to start your work at your desk from the place you left off yesterday and what will get you to exercise at the end of a long day.
For most of you, this activation energy is somewhat habitual when it comes to things that you like to do. If you like to do a particular thing (like yoga!) it won’t take much activation energy to get yourself together + go.
Photo credit: Darren Hull
In other cases such as creating a new habit like working out in the morning before work or the minute you walk in the door from work (you might already recognize where this is going) you will need more activation energy.
Anything that requires you to get organized, plan ahead, or prepare in a way that you are not currently doing will no doubt require more activation energy from within you.
I’ve ebbed and flowed with waking up and working out or going to yoga and saving it till the end of the day and guess what, it takes 10 times as much for me to get my butt in gear to move at the end of the day than getting moving in the morning. Those of you that have the end-of-the-day-sweat dialed in, I salute you.
The point of this is if you wait around for when you FELT like it, things you know you need to do, like take care of your mind and body, would never get done.
How do we get activation energy? I’m so glad you asked. Stay with me.
Photo credit: Roz Huber
You know the story of the chicken and the egg and which one came first? Some might say that you have to max out your activation energy (the chicken) to create the habit of waking up and working out or doing yoga first and then you’ll know what it gives you in return.
The other side of the coin is where the benefits of moving your body (the egg) will be so present that the activation energy lowers for you perceptually because you crave the after-feeling more than you dislike the initial feeling of just getting there. I'll leave it to you to decide.
Activation energy is a tool you can use to understand your internal landscape. If you know there is a certain requirement of energy from inside you in order to do something you don’t normally do (hello more healthy habits!) you will automatically KNOW you need to do a few extra steps in order to succeed.
You don’t let those few extra steps take you out and off track. You lay your clothes out the night before. You set your shoes out by the door with socks. You fill an extra water bottle and place it by your yoga mat. You prep snacks for after your sweat session. You set your alarm earlier with a note to yourself about why you are waking up earlier.
Photo credit: Darren Hull
When you know your why behind something, it reduces distraction. These are all little things that make up the big picture of your life. Have you ever heard the term ‘details matter?’ This is what I’m talking about.
One more thing: Start small.
Start with setting a monthly goal. Or join a spring challenge. Tell your friends and family about what you want to accomplish. There is so much power in sharing what you desire out LOUD. Join November Project. Sign up for a race. Try something new.
Whatever you do, understand this one thing — there is unlimited energy in you and you get to decide what to do with it.
Happy first Sunday of MAY,
Where has the time gone?
Roz
